The Imperative for Concerted Action
‘Smoking is the most important preventable cause of ill-health and premature death in Scotland, with more than 13,000 smoking related deaths each year. The NHS in Scotland spends up to £140 million every year treating smoking related disease. Some of the highest rates of smoking are found among the most disadvantaged.’
A breath of fresh air for Scotland: tobacco control action plan. Scottish Executive 2004 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/publications/2004/01/18736/31541
The Added-value of Partnership Working
A tobacco control alliance is a coming together of all those organisations that have an interest in reducing tobacco use including, protecting people from second-hand smoke, preventing uptake of smoking by young people, supporting people to stop smoking and reducing the availability of smuggled and counterfeit tobacco.
Tobacco control provides the mechanisms by which tobacco can be de-normalised; changing tobacco culture from one of acceptance and tolerance of the disadvantages imposed by its use to one of informed and growing rejection.
To find out more about Local Tobacco Control Alliances in Scotland contact: Janet Wilson, Local Alliances Officer. Direct Line 0131 220 9472. Email janet.wilson@ashscotland.org.uk